Colorado Rockies / MLB

Reward a done deal for Rockies manager Tracy

After a 74-42 run and playoff trip that led to a three-year contract, Jim Tracy couldn't be happier about being with the Rockies.
(Karl Gehring, The Post
)

He was too low profile for Los Angeles, too hamstrung in Pittsburgh.

But Jim Tracy found the right place and the right team when he jumped into the Rockies' cockpit on May 29. He steered Colorado to the playoffs, executing one of baseball's most amazing U-turns.

The accomplishment netted security and praise Wednesday as Tracy, 53, agreed to a three-year contract and won the National League manager of the year award.

"This is probably as flattering an experience as I have had in my career in professional athletics," Tracy said. "Obviously, the new deal is exciting. And so is this honor. But I didn't win this by myself. This isn't about me. It's about the organization."

Terms of Tracy's new contract were not released, but according to industry sources he is expected to receive more than $1 million annually.

With Tracy as their manager, the Rockies went 74-42, erasing a 9 1/2-game deficit in the wild-card race. Only the Washington Nationals had a worse record in the National League when Tracy took over, replacing Clint Hurdle.

It is easy to look at the turnaround and conclude Tracy is a good fit. But talk to the Rockies' players and they make a compelling case that his success will have roots, for two reasons: trust and consistency.

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"Tracy definitely showed a lot of faith in guys, and with guys who needed it. He handled each individual as an individual, in their own way. That was important to this team," first baseman Todd Helton said. "He allowed this team to have its own identity; he let us become our own team. In a way, that's a pretty gutsy move, because when you do that, it can go either way. It worked out for us."

Tracy's new contract is the first step in stabilizing the organization's leadership. General manager Dan O'Dowd, who recently won Sporting News executive of the year honors, will receive a similar contract soon.

"I respect both of them a lot," shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. "I look forward to working with them to achieve our ultimate goal of winning the World Series. That's what it's all about."

The idea of the Rockies playing deep into the fall has evolved from a dream into an expectation after two playoff appearances in three years. Tracy talked Wednesday about the importance of taking the next step, winning the NL West and the World Series.

When Tracy first met with the team on May 29, his speech was about salvaging the season, which had 116 games left. He wanted effort and would hold the players accountable. Hurdle had advanced similar principles, but the players admittedly had tuned him out.

They needed a lighter touch, and the difference between Hurdle and Tracy is akin to electric and acoustic. Tracy's unspoken mantra: Get busy and I will stay out of your business.

"There was never any negative energy. He always believed in us," reliever Matt Daley said. "Players fed off that."

Tracy's first act was to create a stable lineup, inserting Clint Barmes in the second spot and, within days, Ian Stewart at third base. He met individually with several players, detailing their roles.

"The big thing was, and I don't know if a lot of guys will tell you this, but he got a lineup he felt gave us the best chance to win and stuck with it," Stewart said. "When we were struggling before — and it was our fault — every day there was uncertainty if you would be in there if you had a bad game. With Tracy, it had to be something drastic. Whether you are a veteran or a young guy, you need to know what your job is."

Chris Iannetta said Tracy's loyalty bred confidence. No one benefited more than the pitching staff, which went from a sinkhole to a bridge to the postseason.

"One, he challenged the starters to pitch more innings. He had that horse mentality — getting the most he could out of them," O'Dowd said. "Two, he established defined roles for the bullpen. Now, to be fair, he had a lot more bullets to work with than Clint did. But he did a great job of defining those guys. Actually, I think he did a good job finding the roles for all 25 guys on the roster."

"It was awesome. As a position player, you want to feel like every game is the most important game of the season," Helton said. "The way he handled the bullpen showed me that. He would go with a double barrel — lefty, righty — when he needed to."

Tracy will bring back his entire coaching staff.

"We did some special things, but there is still a lot out there for our ballclub," Tracy said. "As young as we are and as much as we grew in such a short period of time, I can't even begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to the future."

Rockies are on pace to lose 93 games this seasonThe Rockies lost three of four in St. Louis and are on pace to lose 93 games as they come home for a three-game series with Seattle before going back on the road again to face Washington.